BP: Haiku Dialogue–Family Portraits, Number Four

This week’s Haiku Dialogue, the weekly column from the Haiku Foundation, had haiku written based on the portrait of a baby and a dog laying together on the floor. The editor, John S Green, said the following about the haiku written about it:

” Another terrific week – thanks to all 133 poets who submitted 213 poems from 26 countries. There was a good bit of kissing going on in these haiku . . . hmmm, I wonder why? And canine love, naturally. Although felines made their way into a few poems, and why not?”

This pedometer geek poet had a haiku (or perhaps it is technically a senryu, but please don’t ask this writer to explain the difference between the two since I am still trying to figure it out myself) selected for inclusion, thanks to John.

It is as follows:

obedience school…
the baby rolls over
on command

~Nancy Brady, 2022

To read all the haiku written on the photo as well as read John S Green’s commentary on a few of the outstanding ones, check out https://thehaikufoundation.org/haiku-dialogue-family-portraits-portrait-four/

Thanks again, John; it’s appreciated.

#haiku #senryu #haikufoundation #haikudialogue #BP #pedometergeek

BP: Stardust Haiku: Poetry With a Little Sparkle #69

The September issue of Valentina Ranaldi-Adams’ journal, Stardust Haiku: Poetry With a Little Sparkle has been published. Issue #69 has haiku from poets from the following countries: Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Pakistan, Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Valentina selected one of this pedometer geek’s haiku for inclusion. It is as follows:

fall migration…

I see the flight

of the monarch’s shadow  

~Nancy Brady, 2022

Thanks, Valentina, for choosing this haiku for publication; it’s appreciated.

To read all of the haiku, check out http://stardusthaiku.blogspot.com/ and click on the link for the issue. There is also a link to all the previous issues as well.

#haiku #BP #pedometergeek #StardustHaiku

The Collection: Mud on the Tires

After writing her blog on the Carrot Ranch site about her anniversary, pheasant hunting, and a muddy truck, Charli Mills presented the Word Wranglers with the following prompt:

September 19, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about mud on the tires. The tires can be from any conveyance or serve as an analogy. How did they get muddy and why? What impact does mud on the tires have on the story (plot) or characters (motivation)? Go where the prompt leads!

This pedometer geek writer wrote the following story:

Rut-Riding

Annie learned to ride a bicycle long after her younger sister did. Soon, she could keep up with more experienced riders.  Often, Annie raced her sister home and won when she rode her older sister’s bike. The bike didn’t look racy at all with its balloon tires, but it was deceptively fast. It was fun to ride, too.

 Annie discovered that if she rode on the berm, she could ride in the ruts. She named this activity rut-riding and enjoyed the bumpy ride especially when it was wet. Splashing through puddles with mud in her tires made her smile.     

~Nancy Brady, 2022

To read all the Collection of 99-word stories about mud on the tires, check out the blog at Carrot Ranch. http://www.carrotranch.com

#99wordstories #Carrotranch #pedometergeek #flashfiction

BP: Haiku Happenings (Haiku Dialogue/Haiku Seed)

This week’s Haiku Dialogue column at the Haiku Foundation was based on another Family Portrait prompt. This one was an early morning photograph of the guest editor’s wife.

From the editor, John S. Green, came the following commentary:

“…146 poets contributed 239 poems. A new high of 30 countries makes me happy – I love this global community. As my friend, Victor Ortiz, said at a recent Haiku Society of America conference on The Ecology of Haiku, ‘Haiku may even help to save our planet.’ By the way, this photo is my lovely wife. Thanks honey for letting me use this as a prompt.”

With this number of haiku submitted, this pedometer geek writer feels extremely fortunate to have had the following haiku selected for inclusion:

early riser…
my dad greets me
with “morning glory”

~Nancy Brady

Thanks, John, for choosing this haiku for inclusion with the others you featured in the column. It is truly appreciated. To read all the other haiku he selected, check out https://thehaikufoundation.org/haiku-dialogue-family-portraits-portrait-three

In other haiku happenings, Haiku Seed (www.haikuseed.com) asked for submissions for the weekly prompt of seed. While the prompt was seed, it wasn’t necessary to actually use the word in the haiku.

Thanks to the Haiku Seed editor, this pedometer geek writer had the following haiku selected for the column:

summer afternoon

goldfinch pair ravages

the sunflowers

~Nancy Brady, 2022

All of the haiku can be read on Twitter at @HaikuSeed_. The editor paired each haiku with a drawing, making each a haiga. It is gratifying to see a haiku blended with art. Thanks again for choosing the haiku and the pairing; it is truly appreciated.

#haiku #haikuseed #haikudialogue #pedometergeek #BP @HaikuSeed_

The Collection: Balloons & Bumpers

This week’s prompt by Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch was the following:

September 12, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about balloons on a bumper. Is it a spectacle, an occasion, an eccentricity? Why are the balloons there? Who is involved? Go where the prompt leads!

This pedometer geek writer wrote two versions of the same story. The first, which is the one submitted to Carrot Ranch, is as follows:

Homecoming USA

The homecoming parade was scheduled for Saturday before the big game with a cross-county rival.

First, however, the parade floats were built; the marching band practiced their music, and the homecoming court was selected. All was readied for the parade.

Leading off the parade were the local police and fire department vehicles, followed by the cheerleaders, the homecoming court on a float, the local high school band, the football team’s float, and candidates riding in classic convertibles. Last, but not least, was the vintage fire engine. The bumpers and sides were covered in ninety-nine balloons (no more, no less).   

~Nancy Brady, 2022

The second one is more personal, and it reflects the reality of parades in my hometown, Marion. This writer shares it here for those who grew up there.

A Marion Parade

The Independence Day parade was always scheduled for July 4^th, no matter which day it occurred.

First, however, the parade floats were built; the marching bands practiced their music, and the local festival courts were selected. All was readied for the parade.

Leading off the parade were police and fire department vehicles, followed by the Boy Scouts carrying the flags. The festival courts’ floats alternated with local high school bands; political candidates, waving to the crowds, rode in convertibles.  Last, but not least, were the NACHURS’ fertilizer trucks. Their bumpers were covered in ninety-nine balloons (no more, no less).   

~Nancy Brady, 2022

To read all the stories written by the Word Wranglers about balloons on bumpers, check out Carrot Ranch blog for the Collection. http://www.carrotranch.com

#pedometergeek #99wordstories #TheCollection #NACHURS

BP: Haiku Dialogue–Family Portrait Two (Elopement)

This week’s Haiku Dialogue, the weekly column at the Haiku Foundation, was based on the second family portrait of the guest editor, John S. Green. The photograph was of a couple, and their subsequent elopement because of the pandemic.

Here’s the commentary from John about the entries:

“This week, I received 237 haiku from 149 poets representing 29 countries. In the end, I selected more haiku than last week. Still, there were many poems that didn’t create a rewarding juxtaposition between the photograph and haiku. This week, I had to research many words associated with marriage traditions, and therefore, learned new things – thanks. You made me laugh and wonder, two traits that make us human.”

With this many entries, this pedometer geek writer was pleased to have one of my haiku included, and I share it here:

outdoor wedding…
two bison wander through
providing witnesses

~Nancy Brady, 2022

Thanks, John, for selecting my haiku. Your prompt reminded me of a wedding that was also attended by bison, but fortunately they were far enough away so that the wedding was not disrupted and the ceremony continued.

To read all of the haiku, check out https://thehaikufoundation.org/haiku-dialogue-family-portraits-portrait-two/.

#haiku #pedometergeek #BP #HaikuDialogue #TheHaikuFoundation

The Collection: Swimmingly

This week’s prompt, set by Charli Mills, at Carrot Ranch was to write a story in 99 words (no more, no less) as indicated below:

September 5, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the word, “swimmingly.” which means “smoothly or satisfactorily.” What is the situation? Who is involved? Let the word take you into a story. Go where the prompt leads!

This pedometer geek writer came up with following story:

My Writing Process

When the writing prompt is posted, I start thinking about what to write. Ideas are considered and rejected.  Once an idea comes, I write until what I wanted to convey is expressed.

Then I edit, removing irrelevant words to reduce the number. Sometimes the prompt doesn’t resonate at all. This is one of those prompts.

Still, it kept nudging me, making me hyper-aware. I’d read something and the prompt would appear in it. Some television programs used the word. I heard people say it, and eventually I decided to allow it to dictate this post, and it did, swimmingly.

~Nancy Brady, 2022

As hard as may be to believe, this writer either saw or heard the word, swimmingly, several times in the past week, and it’s not a word I hear often.

I am sure that the rest of the Word Wranglers over at Carrot Ranch will have some impressive stories. Check out the Swimmingly Collection at http://www.carrotranch.com (and don’t forget to wear your water wings).

#99wordstories #pedometergeek #CarrotRanch

BP: Haiku Dialogue–Family Portraits

Beginning this week at the Haiku Foundation’s weekly column, Haiku Dialogue, there is a new guest editor, John S. Green, and with it, a new focus. He describes the focus this way:

“For the month of September, a total of five weeks, we will write haiku in response to photographs of human faces – portraits of sorts. These will all be images of my family – hence the title, Family Portraits. This could be termed a photo-haiga exercise – composing a haiku in reaction to a picture.

Often, the instinct is to write a description of the image. However, this is rarely satisfying. From my experience, a poem that connects in a subtle manner is more rewarding. For some excellent examples, please take a look at The Haiku Foundation’s Haiga Galleries.

Many haiga do not mention the scene at all, but simply allude to it via the haiku. The image and the words complement each other.”

The first photo was of a great-grandmother holding the newest family member.

Here’s what John said about his first foray into being an editor:

“I received 233 poems from 145 poets. Twenty-eight different countries! For me, one of the best aspects of the haiku community is it is a thriving global art form, with engaged, kind people.

Many writers sent me poems that described the photograph in a more or less direct manner. These were not particularly striking. Others alluded to the scene in a more subtle style – drawing me in to nuances. One thing I should have emphasized is that each haiku should ‘stand on its own’ as a poem. The reader should not need the image to be able to enjoy the meaning of the poem.”

With this many haiku he had to consider, this pedometer geek writer feels grateful to have a haiku selected for inclusion. It is as follows:

burrito…
the hungry look
of love

~Nancy Brady, 2022

Thanks, John, for selecting one of my haiku. It is truly appreciated. Whether or not, he chooses any more of my haiku during his five-week stint, I am grateful that he chose this one.

To read all the haiku in this week’s column, check out: https://thehaikufoundation.org/haiku-dialogue-family-portraits-portrait-one/

#pedometergeek #haiku #BP #thehaikufoundation #haikudialogue

The Collection: Red Convertible

This week’s prompt at Carrot Ranch, set by Charli Mills, was as follows:

August 28, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features a red convertible. Who is driving or riding? Where is the car going? Maybe it isn’t even a car. Have fun and go where the prompt leads!

This pedometer geek wrote the following #99wordstory:

Two Fords

Over my lifetime, I have owned all makes of cars: a Comet, Hondas, a Mitsubishi, and Toyotas, but none were convertibles, red or otherwise.

I have ridden in convertibles, the latest being John’s red Ford Mustang. John drove me home. My hair whipping around, the sun’s warmth, it was a brief, exciting ride.

At the other end of the spectrum, my first ride in an open-air vehicle was a Ford Model A, riding in the rumble seat, going out for ice cream. My next-door neighbor spent years restoring the car, and this was a gift one warm summer night.    

~Nancy Brady 2022

To read all the 99 word stories (no more, no less) about red convertibles, check out the blog at http://www.carrotranch.com after September 7. 2022 when the Collection of stories written by the Word Wranglers will be posted.

#99wordstories #pedometergeek #CarrotRanch

Daily Haiku: Sept. 7, 2022

Thanks, Charlotte, for featuring my haiku. It is appreciated.

Charlotte Digregorio's Writer's Blog

snowy day … 
only color in the landscape 
a stop sign 

    

 

by NancyBrady (USA)

tsuri-doro, #8, March/April 2022

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